For the purposes of this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) "Commercial motor vehicle," for the purposes of requiring a department of transportation number, means the same as defined in RCW 46.25.010(6), or a motor vehicle used in commerce when the motor vehicle: (a) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) inclusive of a towed unit or units of a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds); (b) has a gross vehicle weight rating of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more); or (c) is used in the transportation of hazardous materials, as defined in RCW 46.25.010(13);
(2) "Department of transportation number" means a department of transportation number from the federal motor carrier safety administration;
(3) "Interstate commercial motor vehicle" means a commercial vehicle that operates in more than one state;
(4) "Intrastate commercial motor vehicle" means a commercial vehicle that operates exclusively within the state of Washington;
(5) "Motor carrier" means a person or entity who has been issued a department of transportation number and who owns a commercial motor vehicle;
(6) "Registration year" means the effective period of a vehicle registration issued by the department. A registration year begins at 12:01 a.m. on the date of the calendar year designated by the department and ends at 12:00 a.m. the same day the following year unless otherwise specified;
(7) "Renewal notice" means the notice to renew a vehicle registration sent to the registered owner by the department.